Planting and Pruning Bare Root Fruit Trees Class

The bare root fruit tree planting season is already here! Between December and February, deciduous bare root fruit trees are available for sale at nurseries and garden centers.

Deciduous Fruit Trees

Deciduous fruit trees lose their leaves each winter. These trees include apple, pear, cherry, nectarine, peach, plum, and apricot; it does not include citrus or avocado trees, which are evergreen.

What is a Bare Root Fruit Tree?

A “bare root” fruit tree is a tree sold in its dormant state. The tree has no leaves, is not actively growing, and is sold without a pot. When you choose your tree, a store employee pulls it out of a large container with other trees that is filled with sawdust. The tree roots are wrapped with moistened newspaper, and then covered over with butcher paper and tied with a string. You'll be advised to take it home and plant it right away. Some garden centers may sell bare root fruit trees in plastic bags. If the material around the roots is moist and the roots have not dried out, the tree should be healthy.

Choosing a Fruit Tree

Fruit trees require a lot of care. This 90-minute class will cover the basics of planting and pruning fruit trees, including how to choose the tree and trees which kinds of trees need a pollinizer. There isn't time to cover pest management, but you are welcome to stay on the call and ask questions about this at the end.

I have a Small Yard or an Apartment, Can I have a Fruit Tree?

Deciduous fruit trees as well as evergreen fruit trees get very large. Fruit trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstock and labeled “genetic dwarf” are smaller than semi-dwarf and standard trees, however they have extensive roots and are not recommended for containers. One exception is the kumquat, a sweet and tangy citrus fruit. Small yards can have fruit trees, but you have to start your tree out right for this to work. 

If you live in an apartment and want fruit, you can grow your own blueberries or strawberries in containers. See our publications:

Blueberries in Your Garden  https://ucanr.edu/sites/CEStanislausCo/files/111737.pdf 
Strawberries in Your Garden  https://ucanr.edu/sites/CEStanislausCo/files/111651.pdf 

Registration Open for our Free Class

We hope to “see” you at our Planting and Pruning Bare Root Fruit Trees Zoom class at the end of the month! If you miss it, you can find it later on our YouTube Channel.

When: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register at: http://ucanr.edu/bareroot2022  
Instructors: Hector Vera-Uribe and Johnny Mullins